FOREIGN MINISTER AL-THANI: (In progress) (Via interpreter) -- at the trilateral level between the United States and Qatar, then a trilateral meeting with the presence of our brothers in Kuwait to discuss the latest developments in the Gulf crisis and the appreciated efforts by our brothers in the state of Kuwait and the help of our friends in the United States.

President Donald J. Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi of Iraq. President Trump congratulated the Prime Minister on the liberation of Mosul by Iraqi Security Forces, which marks a major milestone in the fight against ISIS. The President praised the heroism of the Iraqi and American soldiers and underscored his commitment to the total defeat of ISIS. He stressed the need to consolidate gains to prevent ISIS or any other terrorist group from returning to liberated areas.

At the invitation of the Emir of Kuwait, the Secretary will travel to Kuwait July 10 where he will meet with senior Kuwaiti officials to discuss ongoing efforts to resolve the Gulf dispute. The Secretary plans to travel to Doha, Qatar July 11 and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia July 12 to meet with senior officials.

Today, the United States announced nearly $639 million in additional humanitarian assistance to the millions of people affected by food insecurity and violence in South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen. This additional funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance to over $1.8 billion for these four crises since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2017.

France, the United Kingdom and the United States have not taken part in the negotiation of the treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons. We do not intend to sign, ratify or ever become party to it. Therefore, there will be no change in the legal obligations on our countries with respect to nuclear weapons.

The United States strongly condemns today’s attacks in the Sinai that resulted in the deaths of at least twenty-three Egyptian soldiers. We express our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We continue to stand with Egypt as it confronts terrorism.

UNESCO has voted to designate the Old City of Hebron and the Tomb of the Patriarchs as part of Palestinian territory and a World Heritage site despite protests by the United States, Israel, and other countries.

Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson announced today his appointment of Ambassador Kurt Volker to serve as the United States Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations. Ambassador Volker, who has served previously as the U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, and as Director for NATO and Western Europe on the National Security Council, will take responsibility for advancing U.S. efforts to achieve the objectives set out in the Minsk agreements.